thanksgiving

American  

[thangks-giv-ing] / ˌθæŋksˈgɪv ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

2. an expression of thanks, especially to God.

3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.

4. a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

5. (initial capital letter) Thanksgiving Day.

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thanksgiving British  

/ θæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ, ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of giving thanks

2. 1. an expression of thanks to God

   2. a public act of religious observance or a celebration in acknowledgment of divine favours

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Usage

What does thanksgiving mean? The word thanksgiving means the act of expressing or feeling thankfulness.In other words, it’s the act of giving thanks for what you’re grateful for.This sense of the word is often used in a religious context. For example, a prayer of thanksgiving involves praying to express gratitude for the blessings in one’s life.The word thanksgiving is also used as the name of a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. It’s officially known as Thanksgiving Day but is commonly just called Thanksgiving. It is observed in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday of November, and in Canada on the second Monday of October.Today, the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. is traditionally celebrated with family gatherings and a large meal, especially one that includes a roast turkey. Other traditional Thanksgiving dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing, and pumpkin pie. The association with eating turkey has led to the informal nickname Turkey Day.Example: A lot of people forget that Thanksgiving is not just a time for gathering and eating but for actual thanksgiving—acknowledging all of the things we have to be thankful for.

Other Word Forms

• pre-Thanksgiving adjective

Etymology

Origin of thanksgiving

First recorded in 1525–35; thank + -s ³ + give ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In October 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 26 of that year.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

Andros immediately sought to annul the move on grounds that only he had the authority to name a thanksgiving day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

New Englanders threw Andros into jail, sent him back to England and had the pleasure of proclaiming days of thanksgiving for the ascension of William and Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

The music swells further as he reflects on how crushed he was to lose his job over what his lawyers called a “silent or quiet prayer of thanksgiving for player safety, sportsmanship, and spirited competition.”

From Slate • Oct. 1, 2025

But in the crowd that greeted him with thanksgiving for his return there were anxious faces, and words of dark foreboding passed from one man to another.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton